I hope to use this blog as an avenue to express my thoughts and adventures of all of my fishing expeditions and any other journeys I may undertake.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

A Memorable Outing That I Want Forget Anytime Soon

I found out Tuesday why I
need a good supply of flies and poppers.I think most of you already know where this post is going—bluegill
fishing. I hope I am not boring you guys with all the posts I have been doing lately
about my trips to reach my 100 super bluegills during the spawning season. I
know when I stared this blog it was mainly to keep a fishing log of the time of
year, water temps, moon phase or any other information that might help to
become a better fisherman. Little did I know that the blog would enable me to
meet and converse with some expert fishermen, who has help me learn so much
about this sport I truly love.

So with that said Tuesday’s
trip will be a memorable outing for me to say the least. In a four hour span I
landed a total of 32 bluegills and during that time I brought to hand some of
the largest bluegills I have ever caught on WalkerCountyLake. I was culling fish from the very start of the trip
to try and reach my limit which is 20 on this lake. I made the limit with some
big bluegills; four were in the 1 lb category and the 2 Shellcrackers were over a pound. I
used two different fly rods starting out with my 3wt 9 ft. Streamflex and later using my new 4 wt. 9 ft. St.
Croix fast action. In fact
if I had not had the 4 wt. I would have never landed the Shellcrackers. A lot
of these fish were in submerging cover which made it a challenge to catch a lot
of them. Through it all I lost 4 poppers to the Shellcrackers who are still
swimming with them in their mouth somewhere in the lake. After adding my 20 big
bluegills today I am 56 away from my goal. I feel a little better about
reaching my goal now after today’s adventure.

This was one of the 1 pound beauties

If this Shellcracker had jump many more times I would have lost him, the White Betts Popper fell out of his mouth once in the boat

Another pounder held by the caretaker at the bait shop on the lake

The prize at the end of the trip--this is an outing I will remember

The J & M Popper prove to be a winner early in the morning--the Fire Tiger size 8 has exceptional action with the legs placed so that the fly floats perfect on the water surface--I landed some huge bluegill early with this popper--thanks to J & M

KevinBluegill can present a challenge, especially if they are in brush, and if they are slaping at the fly as oppose to really hitting it. Another factor is the presentation, if the fly hits the water to hard then they spook and you have lost the element of surprise. Sometimes a delicate presentation helps to entice the bigger fish into hitting. Thanks for the comment

HowardWith the crazy genertion below the dam, and Alabama Power's disregard for the trout fisherman, it drives me to warm water fish more. I wish I had access to a free stone stream, but it is what it is. Thanks for the comment

Bill glad to hear the Fire Tiger popper was rockin it for ya today! I am going to link your blog with mine for the shout out. Thanks so much for sharing and again glad to hear they worked so well. Not surprised though! :)

SanderEverything on this trip worked to perfection---fishing 2 days after a full moon--no wind--low barometer--70 degree water--limited boat activity, 3 other boats other than me and last a bit of overcast, when you have these conditions one can't help but catch fish. Thanks for the comment

JoshAll 20 were dressed and put in the deep freeze. I really like the fishing part but the eating part is what make the whole thing worth while. I will be getting to some of your fiies soon. Thanks for the comment

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About Me

I am an avid fly fisherman. I started fishing with my dad when I was five years old and have never known life without fishing. The love of the outdoors has been one of the reasons I have enjoyed fishing for all these years. It is the greatest therapy in the world. When I am on the water I forget about everything else except landing that elusive trout, bluegill, crappie or bass.